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February 1, 2012
Waiting for Bruce: The Commercial Observer Tours Atlantic Yards Arena
NY Observer
by Daniel Geiger
Bruce lets his testy side slip out...
Mr. Ratner bristled when asked to make further reaching projections of progress on the Atlantic Yards site. Standing inside the arena and gazing into its nearly finished bowl of seats, The Commercial Observer’s gaze couldn’t help but trail farther, through a large entryway being used by construction vehicles. Beyond was the rest of the site, a stretch of train tracks and dirt recessed below grade that runs east for several blocks between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street.
“We’re here to talk about the arena,” Mr. Ratner snapped when asked when those portions of the development would begin.
One could forgive Mr. Ratner’s edginess given the opposition he has faced. Sensing that he had perhaps recoiled a little too fiercely, his demeanor quickly loosened.
“You have to understand, my words have been twisted around in the past,” Mr. Ratner said.
Translation: "My 'promises' have been exposed as lies time and time again.'"
Mr. Ratner also pointed out that games will be partially visible from the plaza in front of the arena.
“It’s going to be the only court in the league where you can literally watch the game from the street outside,” Mr. Ratner said, pointing out the arena’s embrace of the surrounding community.
NoLandGrab: If by "embrace" Mr. Ratner means "death grip," then, by all means, the arena is embracing the surrounding community.
Posted by eric at February 1, 2012 1:06 PM